Boyce, T. E., & Geller, E. S. (2001).
A technology to measure multiple driving behaviors without self-report or participant reactivity.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 39-55.
An in-vehicle information system (IVIS) was used to videotape
drivers (N = 61) without their knowledge while driving 22
miles in normal traffic. The drivers were told that they were
participating in a study of direction following and map reading.
Two data-coding procedures were used to analyze videotapes.
Safety-related behaviors were counted during consecutive 15-s
intervals of a driving trial, and the occurrence of certain
safety-related behaviors was assessed under critical conditions.
These two methods of data coding were assessed for practicality,
reliability, and sensitivity. Interobserver agreement for the
five different driving behaviors ranged from 85% to 95%.
Within-subject variability in safe driving was more pronounced
among younger drivers and decreased as a function of age.
Contrary to previous research that has relied on self-reports,
driver risk taking did not vary significantly as a function of
gender. These results are used to illustrate the capabilities of
the technology introduced here to design and evaluate
behavior-analytic interventions to increase safe driving.
DESCRIPTORS: _driving safety, observation methodology,
instrumented vehicle, participant reactivity